|
Early Years
The Nottingham Hockey Club as we know it was formed in 1919 through the amalgamation of Notts Hockey Club (founded in mid / late 1800s) and Notts Grosvenor. Heavy losses in the Great War had caused major membership problems for both sides, hence the merger.
Key early members were A Ashwell, L Halford, V Trivett, A Kirkaldy and H Holliwell, with Halford and Holliwell playing for the Midlands and Kirkaldy winning his first International cap in 1924, and later captaining England. In 1925, Nottingham toured Holland just as they were taking up the game and strong ties have existed ever since.
The 30s and the War
By 1933, the club was running two teams on the riverside pitch at Trent Bridge until the County Council inconveniently built their offices on it. So it was off to Goosedale in 1937 when two former members bought 17 acres; the ground was subsequently gifted to the hockey and cricket club by its eventual owner WHL Holliwell, whose generosity helped the club's development in later years.
The club hibernated during the war. EV Jackson then took a leading role reviving the club that grew in numbers and quality through the 50s and 60s; more pitches were developed to accommodate the increased number of teams.
The Glory Years
Whilst the club won numerous local county and midlands championships, the most momentous events happened in the mid-70s when Nottingham became the first team outside London to win the National Club Championship (equivalent of today's HA Cup), beating Hounslow in the 1976 final. In the subsequent 1977 European Championships, we finished a creditable sixth.
Other notable events at this time were a Midlands Division 1 title in 1982, and Robert Clift going on to win a gold medal in Seoul in 1988 (and captaining England and Great Britain). Humphrey Stokes had picked up a reputation for providing excellent grass pitches to cope with the six regular sides, and the newly refurbished clubhouse was gaining a reputation for fine hospitality. International festivals were held every five years in the 70s and 80s, and touring sides went to Eindhoven and Bournemouth.
The 1990s
Just how slim the dividing line between success and failure can be was shown when a couple of star players left the club, with the result that the first XI slipped out of the Midlands Premier. Rebuilding came under captains Mark Smith, Richard Hurbage and Nick Parr, whose enthusiasm attracted new stars and a return to the top division in 1993/94. Youth coaching was introduced again, Sherwood Ladies joined Goosedale in 1989, a merger with Notts Gregory in 1997, but the major change in the 90s was the new astro pitch…
This involved digging up a cricket pitch and a lot of hard work by Iain Dodson and John Starling amongst many others. This was partly financed by club fund-raising, but the largest part came from the Sports & Arts Foundation and the continuing generosity of the Samworth family. The new pitch was opened by Nottingham's greatest recent star, gold medallist Robert Clift, on 17th January 1993. Final development has been the refurbished clubhouse in 1995.
The New Glory Years
The 20th century finished on a high for Nottingham Hockey Club; after being so close to the national league play-offs for a number of seasons, the Midland's Championship was finally won in 1999/2000 under captain Guy Gisbourne and manager Jan Ahmed. Victory in the play-offs gave many Nottingham players their first taste of national league hockey, and one they took to rather well finishing fourth in their first season. With the seconds, thirds and fourths all in high leagues, the goal to emulate the 1970s success is eminently achievable…
|
|
